Electric-lamp adapter for oil lamps



Feb. 19, 1929.

L. s. BRACH ELECTRIC LAMP ADAPTER FOR OIL LAMPS Filed May i1, 1928 l/Vl/ENTUR FIG. 3 Lao/v s. BRACH ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 19, 1929.

LEON S. BEACH, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY.

ELECTRIC-LAMP ADAPTER FOR OIL LAMPS.

' Application filed May 11,

This invention relates to a lamp constructed for the purpose of being utilized in the conversion of oil lamps now in use in-various places such as in connection with railway systems. Many of these prior art oil lamps are still in-good condition and may be used in connection with an electric light, provided that a ready and relatively cheap means is available for converting these oil lamps into electric lamps. g

It is therefore the principal object of my invention to provide an electric lamp adapter for these prior art oil lamps, so that the frame work of said lamps may be still utilized. In carrying out. my conversion plan, I have utilized a reflector, bulb socket and terminal connecting devices similar to that shown in my Patent 1,627,551, issued May 10, 1927, but have arranged these parts in a new combination such as will cooperate with one of these prior art oil lamps.

From what has been said, it will be obvious that the principal object of my invention is to provide an electric lamp adapter suitable for attachment to present oil lamps, thereby effecting a material saving when it is desired to use electric current for these signal devices.

My invention will'be readily understood by reference to the annexed drawing, where- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through the lamp adapter per se, and shows a fragmentary portion of the prior art lamp.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view looking at the front of the lamp adapter, showing a part of the fastening means for holding the 1front-0r door of the lamp to the support mem- Figure 3 is a view taken of the parts shown in Figure 2, but taken at right angles thereto.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2, but taken diametrically opposite to the parts shown in Figure 2, and indicatesthe pivot stud on which the lamp cover is pivoted.

In the drawing, 1 indicates a flange of the prior art oil lamp from which the old lens is removed and to-which it is desired to apply the electric lamp adapter herein described. The adapter itself,-.includes a support member 2 having a rim 3,

fastened in any suitable manner as by rivet-s 5. The reflector is provided with a stem 6 having a'clamp 7 to fasten a bulb socket 8 in any adjusted positionfor the purpose of fo casing the bulb 9 at the focal point of the ra :flector 4-.

this point being hanging flange 27 which extends arcuate to which a reflector 4: is

1928. Serial Naewpoe.

Connections are made to the lamp through the terminal block 10 carrying terminals 11 and 12 thereon. These parts are fully described in my patent heretofore referred to and will not be further referred to herein.

The support member 2 is provided with a flange 13 for cooperation with the flange 1. These flanges are fastened together by means of a channel-shaped clamp 14 which is split and provided with two lugs, one of which, 15, is shown, having a hole 16 to receive a screw for drawing the lugs together so as to draw the clamp 14 securely around the flanges 1 and 13, thereby holding the lamp adapter securely to the frame of the oil lamp, it being understood that the parts 6 to 12 inclusive have been passed through the opening in the oil lamp, which opening is bounded by the flange 1. r

Projecting from diametrically opposite points of the rim 3 is a pair of lugs 28, having studs 17 and 18 secured therein. Pivoted on one of these studs, for example 18, is a front cover in the form of a ring 19, having an ear 20 to fit over the stud 18. Diametrically opposite to the ear 20, is a hook 21 on the ring cover 19, and this hook is adapted to pass over the stud 17. The ring 19 is providedwith an annular packing ring 22 which is tightly pressed against the rim 3 when the wing nuts 23 are turned upon the studs 17 and 18. The

The lens 25 is held in position in any suitable manner as by. asnap ring 26 whose ends are slightly separated at the bottom part of the cover ring 19,.the end of the ring 26 at shown without section lines. 19 is provided with an ovelry from the car 20 to the hook 21. Preferably also, the flange 27 is provided with a lip 29 obtained by fastening an angle-shaped member to the flange in any suitable manner as by rivets '30. The flange 27 and the lip 29 which The cover ring passes over the rim 3, act to shield the joint between the rim 3 and the cover ring 19, and

acting with the packing member 22, provide a water-tight j-ointat this point for the lamp.

slightly loosening the wing nuts 23 or their equivalent means, the cover ring 19 may beswungaboutthe pivoting stud 18 in the same plane it n0rmally occupies in position on, thelamp. This is to allnwaccess inside of the lamp for the purp of changing the lamp bulb or cleaning the reflector.

It will be obvious that various details in my lamp adapter may be varied; for example, the packing ring 22 may be carried by the rim 3, but such changes are considered to come within the scope of my invention,

Having thus described my invent-ion, what I claim is:

1. In combination with an article oi the class described which includes a support member carrying a reflector having bulb socket and terminal connecting devices; means for attaching the support member to an oil lamp of the prior art comprising an adapter clamp carried in locking engagement on said support'member and adapted to be fitted over a flange on the prior art lamp and a ring pivoted to the support member for swinging about said pivot in the same plane which it occupies when in normal position, said ring carrying a transparent front to close the opening into the reflector and having an overhang ing flange i'or shielding the joint between the support member and the movable ring.

2. In combination with an article oi the class described which includes a support member carrying a reflector having bulb socket and terminal connecting devices; means for attaching the support member to an oil lamp of the prior art comprising an an nular flange and a channel-shaped clamp litting over said annular flange and wide enough to also fit over a flange on the prior art lamp, said support member having an annular rim with lugs projecting at opposite ends of a diameter thereof, studs carried by said lugs, a ring carrying a transparent front and having an ear pivoted on one of said studs to swing in the same plane it normally occupies and having a hook to engage the other stud, a flange on said ring positioned between the ear and hook and fitting over said rim to shield the joint between the ring and the rim substantially as described.

'3. In combination with an article of the class described which includes a support member carrying a reflector having bulb socket and terminal connecting devices; means for attaching the support member to an oil lamp of the prior art comprising an annular flange and a channel-shaped clamp fitting over said annular flange and wide enough to also fit over a flange on the prior art lamps, said sup port member having an annular rim with lugs projecting at opposite ends of a diameter thereof, studs carried by said lugs, a ring having an ear and a hook disposed in the same relative position as the lugs on said rim whereby the ring may be turned on one of said studs as a pivot, said ring carrying on its frontside, a gasket, a lens and means for holding the lens against the gasket; and having on its back side a flange provided with an overhanging lip to fit over said rim, said ring also carry ing an annular packing member to fit against said rim and means on said studs for drawing the ring and packing member securely to the support member-as and for the purpose described.

4. In combination with an article of the class described which includes a support member carrying a reflector having bulb socket and terminal connecting devices; means for attaching the support member to an oil lamp of the prior art comprising an annular flange and a channel-shaped clamp fitting over said annular flange and wide enough to also fit over a flange on the prior art lamps, said support member having an annular rim. with lugs projecting at opposite ends of a diameter thereof, studs carried by said lugs, a ring provided with means for mounting the same on said studs whereby the ring may be turned on one of the studs in the same plane that it normally occupies, said ring carrying on its front side, a gasket, a glass and means for holding the glass against the gasket; and having on its back side, a flange arcuately posiioned between said mounting means and provided with an overhanging lip to fit over said rim; an annular packing member to fit between the ring and rim and means associated with said studs for drawing the ring and rim together to clamp the packing member between them as and for the purposes described.

5. In combination with an article of the class described which includes a support member carrying a reflector having bulb socket and terminal connecting devices; means for attaching the support member to an oil lamp of the prior art comprising an adapter clamp carried in locking engage ment on said support member and adapted to be fitted over a flange on the prior art lamp, said support member having an annular rim with a pair of lugs arranged substantially diametrically opposite each other, a ring, means for pivotally mounting said ring on said lugs so the ring may be turned in the same plane that the ring normally occupies, said ring carrying on its front side, a gasket, a glass and means for holding the glass against the gasket; and having on its back side, a flange arcuately positioned between said mounting means and provided with an overhanging lip to'flt over said rim, an annular packing member to fit between the ring and rim and means for drawing the ring and rim togetheras and for the purposes described. 7

6. In combination with an article of the class described which includes a support member carrying a reflector having bulb socket and terminal connecting devices; means for attaching the support member to an oil lamp of the prior art comprising an adapter clamp carried in locking engagement said support member and adapted to be titted over a Hill ence of the ring to fit over the top part of said rim, an annular packing member disposed to it between the ring and run and means for clamping tween the ring and mm.

7. In combination with an article of the class described which includes a support member carrying a reflector having bulb socket and terminal connecting devices; means for attaching the support member to an oil lamp of the prior art comprising an adapter clamp carried in looking engagement on said support member and adapted to be fitted over a flange on the prior art lamp, said support member having an annular rim, a ring, means for pivotally mounting said ring on said rim, so the ring may be turned in the same plane that the ring normally occupies when overlying the rim, said ring carrying on its front side, a gasket, a glass for covering the opening in the ring in front of the reflector, and means for holding the glass against the gasket, said ring having an arcuately arranged the ring in front of the reflector, and

the packing member be- I flange somewhat less than half the circumfer ence of the ring, said flange being provided with an inwardly turned lipto fit over the back edge of said rim, an annular packing member carried by the ring so as to fit against the rim when the ring is in normal position and means for drawing the ring and rim toward each other for the purposes described.

8. In combination with an article of the class described, a reflector supporting a lamp bulb socket and terminal connecting devices, a ring having attachment to said reflector and means for attaching said ring to an oil lamp of the prior art, a second ring carried by and in front of the first ring and having a transparent front for closing the opening into the reflector and means for protecting the joint between the two rings from the entrance of moisture, dirt, et cetera.

,9. In combination, a reflector and support attached together, said reflector supporting a lamp bulb socket and terminal connecting means, means for attaching said support to an oil lamp of the prior art, a movable ring in front of said support and having a transparent front for closing the opening into the reflector, said ring rearwardly over said support for shielding the joint between the support and the ring, said ring being carried by said. support so as to be turned about a pivot in the same plane it occupies when in normal position.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

LEON S. BRACH.

havlng a flange extending 

